Takeda's 'In Their Shoes' initiative illuminates the daily
struggles of IBD patients in the UAE, fostering
empathy and understanding among participants.
DUBAI, UAE, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Takeda, the
patient-centric biopharmaceutical company, brought its global 'In
Their Shoes' program to the UAE. The initiative, focused on raising
awareness of the difficult symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel
Disease (IBD), entailed an immersive 24-hour simulation that
generated a deeper understanding of how the disease affects the
daily lives of patients.
It is estimated that more than 10
million people worldwide live with
IBD.1
Traditionally, IBD has been regarded as a disease of the Western
world; however, studies over the
last two decades have shown a rapidly
increasing incidence
in newly industrialised countries in
the Middle East, Asia,
and South America2. It
is estimated that 2-4% of the UAE population is affected with
one of the two IBD subtypes, Crohn's
disease, and Ulcerative Colitis3
IBD is a lifelong condition characterized by chronic
inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract3.
While inflammation is the body's
natural reaction to irritation or injury, in patients with IBD, it is thought
that the body's own immune system mistakenly identifies a
harmless food or bacteria within the gut as 'foreign' and
attacks it3. This mistake by the immune system leads to
an upset in the normal function of the gut and causes symptoms
such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea. IBD can lead to
debilitating effects on patients and society2.
The 'In Their Shoes' initiative offers participants (Healthcare
Professionals) a profound understanding of IBD throughout a
24-hour simulation, that took place on September 7th, 2023, and ended the
next day. Using a mobile app and an 'IBD kit,' participants
engaged in common struggles, gaining insights into the
disease's physical and emotional challenges. Through role-play and
interactions with actors, they gain valuable
perspective on how IBD affects patients' both
professional and personal life.
Although the simulation couldn't fully replicate the experience,
it is meant to foster empathy for individuals living with IBD.
The initiative falls in line with Takeda's people-first focus, that
not only encompasses patients, but caregivers, medical
professionals, employees, and the wider communities in which they
operate.
1-
https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/WorldIBDDay. Last
accessed Nov 2023
2- Ng SC, Shi HY, Hamidi
N, et al. Worldwide incidence
and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease
in the 21st century: a systematic review
of population-based studies.
Lancet 2017;390:2769–78
3- https://ibduae.ae/about-ibd/.
Last accessed Nov. 2023
Of the esteemed participants was Sheikha Dr Alia Humaid
AlQassimi, Aesthetic Gynaecologist at Al Garhoud Private
Hospital, and Social Development Expert at the Community
Development Authority, who commented on her experience in
the simulation, "The most unexpected realization about the
challenges that IBD patients face was the around-the-clock
inconvenience of needing
a restroom, as a result of the inconsistent bowel movements known to the disease. With the actors present as
part of the simulation, I was able to feel the burden of being
someone who is in constant need of special care. In addition
to that, I was shocked to learn that the only solution to alleviate
the symptoms in extreme cases is to undergo a colostomy, an
operation that creates an opening for the colon through the
abdomen."
Dr AlQassimi further commented on the experience's
influence on her professional approach as a healthcare
provider saying, "The experience was a reminder that being
patient-centred requires the utmost empathy and consideration
for my patients. It is crucial to believe a patient when they
express pain or discomfort, a point that's been made so much
clearer now that I've taken part in this program. In the
future, I hope to see initiatives like this being adopted across
the country and wider region to ensure that awareness is
raised for this challenging disease. This includes medical schools
infusing a volunteering prerequisite for students as part of
the curriculum, awareness programs designed to teach children
about IBD and other conditions from a young age, and the formation
of support groups for those suffering from IBD and their loved
ones. The key here is to ensure the optimal environment
that supports the highest possible quality
of life for IBD patients."
Dr. Maryam Al Khatry,
founder of the Emirates Inflammatory Bowel Disease Society,
confirms her full support for this pioneering initiative. She
stressed that highlighting the challenges of this disease goes
beyond the issue of awareness, as it is a call to everyone to
consider those suffering from the symptoms of the disease and help
them overcome its impact on their daily lives and work. As medical
teams and individuals in this community, we are committed to
promoting the spirit of unlimited support with the goal of further
integrating those affected into our community. Through the Emirates
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Society, we confirm our support for this
vital initiative, and we stand by all initiatives that seek to
improve the quality of life and enhance the productivity of
individuals in our society.
Ahmed Fayed, General Manager for Gulf countries &
Lebanon, at Takeda, said, "At
Takeda,
our commitment to addressing life-limiting gastrointestinal diseases is unwavering. Alongside
our continuous work on innovative treatments within our
gastroenterology portfolio, we recognize the significant
impact programs like 'In Their Shoes' can have on improving
patients' lives. We take pride in cultivating advocates, both
within our organization and externally, who genuinely empathize
with the disease, exemplifying Takeda's dedication
to a patient-first approach."
The 'In Their Shoes' initiative was first launched in the U.S.
with a 24-hour simulation during which dozens of Takeda
employees learned about the condition in the most effective and
profound way: by "living with it." Following the success of
the launch at our U.S. headquarters, Takeda extended the reach
of "In Their Shoes" by organizing more simulations across the
globe, with the aim of spreading awareness and
knowledge of IBD's negative effects on its sufferers'
daily lives.
About Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) (NYSE: TAK) is
a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical
leader headquartered in Japan,
committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future
to patients by translating science into highly innovative
medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on
four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Diseases, Neuroscience,
and Gastroenterology (GI). We also make targeted R&D
investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are
focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that
contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing
the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our
enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a
robust, modality- diverse pipeline. Our employees are
committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working
with
our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries. For more information, visit https://www.takeda.com.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOESN'T PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
This initiative partnered with healthcare Professionals only. All
information, including but not limited to text, names and comments
contained in this article are for informational purpose only and
not intended to be substitute of professional medical advice,
diagnosis or treatment .For more information ,always seek the
advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider
.
Logo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2360606/4589733/Takeda_logo.jpg
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/empathy-in-action-takedas-global-initiative-brings-ibd-challenges-to-the-forefront-in-the-uae-302101074.html